Russia are officially the first team to book their place in next year’s European basketball showcase after they beat Bosnia & Herzegovina, but there are teams that are on the final stretch towards Eurobasket 2017 qualification after the round four games on Saturday. There was also a triple overtime thriller and three upsets, as well.
GROUP A
Belgium remained perfect from their four games in Group A and are all but guaranteed a spot next year at Eurobasket as they easily defeated Cyprus 72-55 in Nicosia.
Khalid Boukhichou paced the Lions with 13 points.
Switzerland secured their first win by surprising Iceland 83-80 and thus denting their hopes for qualification, sitting on a 2-2 record.
The Swiss were led by 19 points and five rebounds by David Ramseier, as they move to 1-3.
GROUP B
Denmark turned the international basketball world as they won a triple overtime marathon against Germany 106-102.
An exhilarating encounter was finally settled when the Danes went on a 7-0 spurt late in the third session of overtime that put Germany down once and for all. It also gave Denmark their first competitive victory since 2013.
Alan Voskuil who finished the match with 22 points for Denmark as they hand Germany their second straight defeat.
With Denmark’s surprise win against the Germans, it allowed the Netherlands to assume full control of the group as they beat Austria 75-61.
Worthy De Jong and Jessey Voorn paced the Dutch with 19 points each.
GROUP C
Russia became the first team to book their spot at next year’s Eurobasket via the three-team Group C after beating Bosnia & Herzegovina 78-67 in Tuzia.
The trio of Timofey Mozgov (17 points, six rebounds), Andrey Vorontsevich (16 points, eight rebounds) and Sergey Karasev (15 points, five assists) got the job done for the Russians as they have no doubt deserved their qualification in a strong group with established basketball nations.
Mirza Teletovic had a game-high 23 for the Bosnians.
GROUP D
Poland remained unbeaten but no doubt this was not their strongest display but they still ousted Portugal 81-74, thanks to 17 points from Mateusz Ponitka.
Portugal are officially eliminated from contention at 0-4.
Belarus shocked Estonia by hammering them 79-63 in the capital Minsk. The Belorussians victory also makes Group D a little more interesting with both sides locked at 2-2.
Vitali Liutych recorded a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double for Belarus.
GROUP E
Slovenia rested both the Tragic brothers and were still able to record a 91-81 road win over Kosovo in Mitrovica.
Klemen Prepelic led Slovenia with 27 points as they remain unbeaten from their four games in Group E. Kosovo, paced by Justin Dolman’s 30-point effort are out of the running at 0-4.
Vyacheslav Kravtsov had 19 points and Denys Lukashov added 14 as Ukraine edged Bulgaria 72-67 on the road.
The win improves Ukraine to a 3-1 mark, while the Bulgarians drop to 1-3.
GROUP F
Montenegro improve to 4-0 and move closer to qualification for Eurobasket after easing past Slovak Republic 99-62 in Nitra.
Nikola Vucevic led the way for Montenegro with 17 points as the Slovakians drop to 1-3 and are all but out of contention.
Albania are definitely out of the running after they were beaten 84-64 by Georgia but the Albanians put up a brave fight in front of their home fans in Tirana.
Zaza Pachulia had 20 points for Georgia.
GROUP G
Hungary are one step closer to qualifying for their first Eurobasket since 1999 after beating Great Britain 88-80 in London.
The loss is harsh on GB, who fall to 2-2 as they led for the majority but in third and fourth quarter spurts, Hungary took advantage of some sloppy ball handling by the Brits to give them easy buckets and ultimately the win.
(More on Hungary’s win over GB here)
FYR of Macedonia were given a scare but eventually defeated minnows Luxembourg 82-74.
Luxembourg enjoyed the lead for numerous spells against the Macedonians but with 5:00 left, the visitors took control and sealed the win to spare the blushes.
Nifty point guard Alexandar Kostoski scored 20 points for the winners.
